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Meet the Buyer is an unmissable event designed to bring together ethnically diverse drinks founders and key decision-makers from prominent UK distributors, restaurants, bars and hotels. It’s all about creating connections and opportunities.

It is estimated that ethnic minority businesses contribute a whopping £25bn-74bn to the UK economy. Despite this, barriers like limited social capital can hinder their growth, as highlighted by the Social Market Foundation report (2021).

That’s why this event is so important. It provides a welcoming space to forge connections, share expertise, learn from peers, and, of course, taste some fantastic drinks.

Applications are closed.

What’s happening?

On Friday 21st June, Distill Ventures and Be Inclusive Hospitality are joining forces to host Meet the Buyer in London. The goal is to kick-start the development of an inclusive supply chain environment within the on-trade sector.

Get ready for engaging roundtable discussions, insightful panel sessions, delicious drinks tastings, and unrivalled networking opportunities.

Drink categories defined as Spirits, No & Low, and RTD.

This event is the perfect platform to build a network of like-minded peers and industry leaders from all walks of life.

For drinks founders it’s a chance to showcase your incredible brands and dive into discussions about overcoming obstacles and achieving growth ambitions.

And for operators, you’ll have the opportunity to connect with innovative beverage brand founders from diverse backgrounds.

Who is this event for?

On one side, we have on-trade operators striving to achieve a diverse and inclusive supply chain model. On the other, we have ethnically diverse drinks founders keen to expand and scale their brands by supplying regional and national hospitality businesses.

Format

Pre-event masterclass for drinks founders

Insightful panel sessions

Networking opportunities

Moderated roundtable discussions

Drinks tastings

Pre-event masterclass for drinks founders

Moderated roundtable discussions

Insightful panel sessions

Drinks tastings

Networking opportunities

Application deadline: 20th May
Masterclass: 10th June 
Date: 21st June
Time: 12-5 pm

Central London

Identify as Black, Asian or ethnic minority.
Own and operate a drinks brand within the UK.
Be UK citizens, nationals, or permanent residents.

On-trade operators include bars, pubs, restaurants, hotels and café.
Decision-maker or procurement overseer of drinks categories.

    About you

    About your company

    Current sales route

    Business to Business (i.e. supply to trade directly or via wholesaler)Direct ConsumerBothOther (please specify)

    Are you supplying into the on-trade -restaurants, bars, hotels, pubs?

    Yes (please specify)No

    Are you supplying into off-trade – supermarkets, convenience stores, spirits shops?

    Yes (please specify)No

    Your growth ambitions

    Finally

    Tell us in 200 words or less why you should be one of 20 drinks founders to access a place at this event?

    Do you meet the required criteria set for this event?

    Are you able to attend the date/time specified?

    Do you have any accessibility or mobility requirements?

    Yes (please specify)No

    If successful, are you happy to take part in social media promotion 
about this event?



      About you

      About your company

      Business Type:

      BarRestaurantPubHotelDistributorOther (please specify)

      Drinks category ambitions:

      Where on the journey would you say you are:

      BeginningMiddleAdvanced

      Please describe some of the areas of focus for the drinks category within your organisation for the next 12 months. This may include innovation, category growth, or premiumisation for example?

      Are you able to attend the date/time specified?

      Do you have any accessibility or mobility requirements?

      Yes (please specify)No

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